Brake.



J. T. HALSEY. DEC.D-.

- 8. M. M. HALSEY, ADMINISTRAT RIX.

BRAKE.

APPLICATION HLED JULY 9. IBM. RENEWED DEC. 4,19l1.

1,272,038. Patented July 9,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

J. T. HALSEY. DEC'D.

s. m. m. HALSEY. AnmJmsmATmx.

BRAKE.

APPLICATION FILED 1ULY9. I914- RENEWED D EC. 4.1917.

1 72,038. Patented July 9, 1918.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Imm- Jzrnas rfiakg TMENcnRls PETERS 60.,FHB1o-Llrna. WASHINGYDN. n.

Zhis/ Z s JAMES '1. HALSEY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA; SUE MASON MAURY HALSEY ADMINISTRATRIX OF SAID JAMES T. HALSEY, DECEASED.

BRAKE.

Application filed July 9, 1914, Serial No. 849,981.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1,. JAMES T. HALsnY, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Brakes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to braking means, more particularly braking means designed for application to, a moving object, such as the wheels of railroad or railway vehicles, trolley cars and the like, or to a substantially fixed object from a moving structure, as in the case of an elevator or similar structure moving vertically in a shaft; and the object of my invention is to provide an improved form of spring-actuated brake hav ing a high degree of efliciency and susceptible of easy and gradual application with gradual up to full force and effect. The operation of my improved spring-actuated brake is inherent or self-contained, andthe release or relieving of the power of the same may be controlled by hand, with or without the use of an auxiliary motor or prime mover, electrically driven or otherwise.

A further object of my invention is to have the power releasing means so controlled or arranged as. to be highly sensitive and susceptible of gradual application in order that a braking action or eiiect substantially similar to that produced by brakes controlled by fluid under pressure, air for instance, or the ordinary power brakes mechanically applied, may be produced.

The means for accomplishing the result which I seek to attain may be of various kinds, and in the accompanying drawings I have shown several embodiments of mechanism having and containing the several features of the improvements forming the subject of my invention, in which:

Figure 1, represents, more or less diagrammatically, a system in which the braking or power-applying springs are arranged to act under compression, means being provided for direct application thereto to compress the same to relievetheir braking action;

Fig. 2, shows, more or less diagrammatically', a system in which the braking or power-applying springs are acting under tension; the means for relieving their braking action being arranged in slightly different relation Fig. 3, illustrates another embodiment of Specification of Letters Patent. 5

Patented July 9, 1918.

Renewed December 4, 1917. Serial No. 205,436.

my invention in which I make use of a cylinder containing fluid under pressure.

Figs. 4 to 9, inclusive, are diagrammatic views illustrating further adaptations or arrangements embodying the principle of my invention, and Fig. 10, is a diagrammatic View illustrating the manner of operatively connecting a motor with my im proved brake-applying spring.

The object of my invention is to provide elastic means to release or back off or otherwise relieve or take up the energy of a brake-applying spring or springs during the normal operation of the structure carrying or employing the same, and to have such elastic relieving or taking up means sufliciently sensitive or delicate and directly under the control of an operator, the motorman of a car for instance, so as to be capable of instant application, gradually or up to full braking power of which the structure is capable, or release. In this manner I can secure substantially the same effect with a power-applying spring or springs under tension or compression as is obtained with braking mechanism controlled or operated by fluid under pressure, air for instance; that is to say, I am enabled by my improved arrangement or construction to apply the force of the springs in varying degree, ranging substantially from one (1) pound pressure up to the full power of such spring or springs, which may be capable of imparting a pressure equal to ten thousand (10,000) pounds, or more, upon the brake shoe or shoes, or other friction-producing or inducing member.

' The drawings are more or less diagrammatic, and in the structure illustrated in Fig. 1, 1 represents a brake beam for disposal in operative relation with respect to a car truck (not shown) said brake beam having brake shoes 2 connected to the ends of the same, which brake shoes are shown in engagement with wheels 3.

Suitably anchored at 4 (to the body of a car, for instance), is a coiled spring 5 of large dimensions and power, capable of exerting considerable force; the opposite. end of which spring is seated in a cup 6 carried by or connected to the brake beam -1, or otherwise operatively connected therewith. vSo arranged, this spring 5 is capable of applying braking force to the brake shoes 2 in engagement with the wheels 3. In line with'the spring 5, in this particular embodiment of .my invention, I employ a spring 8, of similarsize and substantially the same power; one end of which spring 8 is seated in a cup 9 carried by or connected to the brake beam 1 opposite the cup 6, or otherwise operatively connected to said brake beam, while the opposite end of said spring is fixedly connected to a rack rod 10 in engagement with a pinion 11 driven by and with a worm wheel 12 suitably mounted on a shaft 13. To drive the worm wheel, I provide a suitable prime mover, preferably an electric motor 15, to the armature shaft 16 of which a worm 17 is attached 5 will be applied to the brake shoes.

which meshes with the worm wheel 12.

Under normal running conditions, the motor is operated to compress the spring 8 to an extent sufiicient to take upthe force exerted by the spring 5 and thereby relieve the pressure of said latter spring upon the brake shoes and, as may be well understood, said spring 8 may be locked in this position by the worm and worm wheel as soon as the motor is stopped.

When it is desired to apply the force of the spring 5 to the brake shoes, the motor is backed off or released by a trigger or other operative element under the control of the operator so as to relieve compressive action effected upon the spring 8, and as this compressionis relieved, the force of the sprIi ng or this purpose, a structure such as shown in Fig. 10, may be employed. The control of the motor is highly sensitive, enabling the operator to place the force of thebraking or power-applying springs in or out of action substantially instantaneously.

The motor may be of a reversible type so asto be capable of being driven in opposite directions substantially instantaneously so that the brake may be released or applied at a moments notice, or it may be continuous with reversing mechanism andv suitable clutches between the motor and such reversing mechanism so that the power can be 'applied in either direction, as may be desired to apply or release braking means.

, In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, the spring 5 is acting-under tension to apply the brakes. The connection of the brakebeam, brakes and springs is substantially similar to that shown in Fig. 1. To elongate the spring 8, however, to release the power of the spring 5 holding the brakes to the wheels, I provide, in this instance, a cable or cord20, one end of which is attached to the spring 8 while the opposite end is connected to a drum 21 mounted on a shaft 13 having a worm wheel 12 driven by a motor 15, through a worm 17 In the arrangement shown in' Fig. 3, a compression spring 5, such as shown in 1, is employed-to exert a pressure upon the brake beam and through the latter on the brake shoes, and for, the purpose ofback ng spring 5 and connected to the brake beam at 26, with a piston 27 within said cylinder under the control of a suitable motor, (not shown); the air in said cylinder ahead of the piston acting as elastic means whereby the spring 5 may be compressed to relieve its operative force or pressure upon the brake shoes. This may be accomplished by threading the piston rod 28 at 29 and providing a worm wheel 30 as a nut; such worm wheel being under the control, of the motor tudinally in the cylinder to compress the air I ahead of the same. When the limit of compression is reached, further movement of the piston willreact through the cylinder upon the spring 5; compressing the same to overcome the braking pressure exerted thereby and backing it away so as to release the brake shoes or other braking element.

In Fig. 4, I have shown a modified arrangement of the structure shown in Fig. 1, in which a lever 35 of the first class is employed to compress the spring 8 and relieve the pressure of the spring 5; such lever being actuated by the motor 15 through the rack rod 10. i

In Fig. 5, a substantially similar construction is shown except that the lever 35. is of the second class.

In Fig. 6, I have shown a construction in which the spring 5 is acting under compression, with another spring 8 in line therewith, with a cord 36 passing through the springs and attached to the spring 8; said cord passing around a pulley 87 and being connected to a drum 21 upon which the cord may be wound up, by a motor 15 to relieve the pressure of the spring 5 tending to set the brake.

In Fig. '7, a similar construction is shown, excepting that the cord from its connnection with the spring 8 passes directly to a drum 21 driven by a motor15 the act-uating means being disposed at a point substantially opposite from their position shown in Fig. 6. V

In Fig. 8, I have shown a modification. of the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, in which the spring 8 is extended to extend and re lieve the spring 5 by means of a cord 36 passing around a pulley 37, and being 'wound on a drum 21 by a motor 15.

end of the lever andconnected to a rack rod 10 under control of the motor-15.

In the. structure shown in Fig. 10, the screw shaft 40 carries a sliding sleeve 41 with a suitable form of power transmitting means 42, 43, at each end of the same which may be brought into operative relation with a similarly constructedpower transmitting element 44 mounted on the armature or motor shaft 16. This sleeve may be controlled by a lever 45 pivoted at 46 and connected by a link 47 with a second lever 48 pivoted at 49 and having a controller handle 50 for use by the operator. When this lever is shifted to one position, the transmitting mechanism will be in position for the motor to turn the worm shaft, worm wheel and gearing to compress the springs and relieve the brakes,

and when this lever is moved in the opposite direction the motor will be operated to relieve this compression so that the brakes may be applied by the action of the springs. In this way the structure may be employed with a constantly running motor and the transmitting mechanism may occupy a neutral position when the brakes are off.

I claim:

1. In a vehicle, in combination with a braking element a coiled spring having one end fixed to said vehicle and its opposite end acting upon said braking element, a second coiled spring, a motor for compressing said second spring to cause it to react upon the first spring to release the brake, and means operatively connecting said motor with said second spring.

2. In a vehicle, in combination with a braking element, a support or carrier for the same, a coiled spring having one end fixed to said vehicle and its opposite end acting upon said carrier to apply its force to said braking element, a second coiled spring, a motor for compressing said second spring to cause it to react upon the first spring to release the brake, and means operativelyconnecting said motor with said second spring.

3. The combination with a vehicle having a wheel, of a brake shoe in engagement with said wheel, a coiled spring anchored to the vehicle and having its free end disposed to apply its force to. said brake, elastic means for relieving the force exerted by said spring, a motor for operating said elastic means, and means for oppositely connecting said motor with said elastic means.

4. The combination with a vehicle hav ing a wheel, of a brake shoe in engagement with said wheel, a carrier for said brake shoe, a coiled spring anchored tothe vehicle and having its free end in engagement with said carrier to apply its force to said brake shoe, elastic means for relieving the force exerted by said spring, a motor'for actuating said elastic means, and means for operatively connecting said motor with the elastic means.

5. The combination, in braking mechanism, of a car, wheels supporting said car, brake shoes in engagement with said wheels, a brake beam carrying said shoes, a spring under compression anchored to the car at one end and interposed between such anchorage and the brake beam whereby its 6X- pansive force may be applied to said brake beam to hold the brake shoes to the wheels, means for compressing said spring to relieve the pressure exerted by the same upon the brake shoes including an elastic member arranged to react upon said spring and a motor for compressing said elastic member, and means operatively connecting said motor with the elastic means.

6. The combination, in braking mechanism,of a car, wheels supporting said car, brake shoes in engagement with said wheels, a brake beam carrying said shoes, a spring having one end anchored to the car and arranged to apply pressure from its opposite end to said brake beam, a second spring connected to the brake beam, a motor for applying pressure to said second spring to cause it to react upon the first spring and relieve the pressure exerted thereby upon the brake shoes.

7. The combination, in braking mechanism, of a car, wheels supporting said car, brake shoes in engagement with said wheels, a brake beam carrying said shoes, a spring having one end anchored to the car and arranged to apply pressure from its opposite end to said brake beam, a second spring arranged in line with. the first spring, a motor for applying pressure to said second spring to cause it to react upon and relieve the pressure exerted by the firstspring upon the brake shoes, and means operatively connectingsaid motor with said second spring.

8. The combination, in braking mechanism, of a car, wheels supporting said car, brake shoes in engagement with said wheels, a brake beam carrying said shoes, a spring having one end anchored to the car and arranged to apply pressure from its opposite end to said brake beam, a second spring arranged in line with the first spring, means for applying pressure to said second spring to relieve the pressure exerted by the first spring, said means including a rack and pinion, a worm wheel operating sald rack and a motor for driving said worm wheel, and mechanism operatively connecting said motor and worm wheel and controllable from the front platform of the car.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES T. HALSEY.

Witnesses:

MURRAY 0. Bone, WM. A. BARR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained forfive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Iatents,

' Washington, D. G, 

